You were appointed as manager of Dumbarton in 2021 after previously working as an assistant at the club. You won promotion to League One through the playoffs last year. How proud are you of that achievement and how you have started this season?
“It was good for everyone at the club to achieve that promotion. I obviously had the knowledge of being at Dumbarton as an assistant manager before I went to Stranraer as a manager, so I knew where the club was and the structure of the club. When I came back to the club, I was incredibly surprised because we had tumbled out of the Championship during that time and found ourselves in the lower reaches of League One prior to my arrival.
“We had a very honest conversation with the board, whom I knew from my previous time, and that conversation was simply about having to take a step back to move forward, Callum. We were open and honest about that, and I think that was a big part of why I returned to Dumbarton. The club understood me, understood that concept, and agreed with it. We did discuss a two or three-year plan in terms of taking a step back to move forward again.
“So, when we advanced into League One, the thing that made me the proudest was the staff around me and the structure and infrastructure of the club. We have now got an academy, a sports science department, a scouting department, and an analysis department. I just think we have come back into this division better equipped, and it has taken us that step back to move forward. So, that is what has pleased me the most. Does that mean we are going to have a successful season in League One? It does not, but it certainly gives us an opportunity because we are better prepared to deal with this league, which is a difficult league. We are in a better structural position across the whole club to now come into League One on a better footing.”
In terms of the difference between League Two and League One, how would you sum that up as a manager?
“I always talk about levels. Over the course of any season, in one-off games, you will always get surprises and shocks. But over the course of any given season, through the SPFL divisions, the Premiership is better than the Championship, the Championship is better than League One, and League One is better than League Two. Over the course of an entire season, that is the difference in levels. So, when you move up from League Two to League One, the mistakes you made in League Two are going to get punished more in League One. And they will get punished even more in the Championship than in League One. We know that and understand it.
“We have played well in the three games played so far. If we had played as well as we did in League Two, I am confident the three draws we have had could potentially have been victories. But the level of competition in League One is much higher in comparison. And that is the difference. It is about the levels, Callum. We knew and understood that. I have worked in League One a lot and been involved for many years in games between Stranraer and Dumbarton, so I know and understand how competitive this league is.”
In terms of stability of the club, you got players like Kalvin Orsi signed to new contracts at the end of last season.
Then, with your recruitment this summer, you have been able to bring in a couple of midfielders, a couple of forward players, and a couple of defenders. Are you happy with the stability of the squad and how you have been able to manoeuvre in the transfer market?
“Well, that is one of the things that I changed. When I came back in 2021, we had one player signed. I said to the club, ‘We cannot be in this position in two years. We need to change the structure of our recruitment. We need to change the structure of our signing policy.’ We need to make sure that we arebuilding on blocks that are already in place for the next three, four, five, six, seven years. Whether I amat the club or not, it is the best thing for the club. We have moved to that model. Some people agreed with it, and some people disagreed with it, especially on keeping players on longer contracts.
“But we kept the nucleus from a successful season in League Two last year. By keeping that nucleus, we were able to avoid a fire sale and instead engage in a more selective process where we identified players. Most of the players this year have come in with League One experience to add to the momentum of those who did well in League Two. So, I think the recruitment structure is, again, something that has changed for the better and is positive in terms of where we are. Having that continuity, whether it is in the manager’s chair, in recruitment, or on the pitch, is, I believe, important.”
Finally, Stevie, with this being the first season back in League One for the club since 2021/22, is the aim to stay up and build from there?
“I think if you set that ambition, and I am not criticising anyone who has that ambition, because my mindset is that if you set that ambition, then you will set your sights on it, and you may not achieve anything more than that. What we have done is challenge the players, asking them where we can realistically get to this season. The three games so far—two difficult away games and a difficult home match against what are most people’s champions-elect this season, Alloa—have proved that we are competitive. We have shown that we are a match for the three teams we have played already, and we have still got another six teams to play.
“We believe we belong in League One. We believe we can be competitive. We are just focused on one quarter at a time. It is not just one game; it is one quarter. Every quarter, we will analyse our progress. We know the points we need to first stay in the division and then progress and try to challenge at the top end of the division. So, it is certainly not just about staying here and surviving. It is about looking further ahead to that, and I am sure most people would agree with that.”
Featured image: Dumbarton FC
Callum McFadden 